One of the things that we like about Kentucky is the authentic people that we meet. We’ve been extremely blessed by our neighbors Robert and Patty Duvall and their two granddaughters. They live humbly but would give the shirt off their own back to help someone in need. The entire Duvall clan is always ready…
When we returned to Kentucky, the bathhouse construction continues. We removed the temporary roof and tarps and set to work to finish the fourth wall and to get a solid roof on the structure. Check out what we accomplished last time. Restructuring the Roof The shed was modified from the traditional roof to a higher-pitched…
On our first walk through the new property, I spotted what looked like a rock water slide. We were on a mission, so I didn’t take time to explore the area, but I made a point to come back to see exactly what the rock was. The trail is behind the waterfall in the image…
This trip was one of the wettest we have experienced on Kowalski Mountain. Early on I learned that boots are a necessity on the homestead. The red, rock hard clay turns into thick mud that clings to your boots. No matter how hard I try, I always get mud on everything I bring. We try…
Philip has a gift of seeing what something can be, not what is might actually be. He was called to a tree job to remove a tree that has fallen on a shed. He agreed to the job and asked if they wanted him to remove the damaged shed as well. They agreed and he…
It’s been about a month since the greenhouse was started, so time for us to share a greenhouse update. The interior bed design is still under construction and additional beds have been added. Since the walls are in place, each bucket full of dirt is hand carried in and dumped. The planting continues. Both Philip…
The spring is an exciting time at the Florida House. Of course in Florida, we get a head start on spring! While the rest of the world is dreaming about warm days, we are well into the tasks of spring time on the homestead. Our granddaughter, Addison, spent some time helping me with chores. It…
It’s an exciting day at Kowalski Mountain!! We closed on an additional 28 acres of adjoining property! The total acreage is now 68 acres! Philip and his parents, Danny and Joy Murphy collaborated to make this a possibility. The Murphy’s will maintain a small portion of property along the road. They will have a place…
Everything we do at the Florida House is a chance to experiment with techniques without the consequences of self sufficient living. Here if we try something and it’s not successful we have the resources around us that we can have food from another source. The goal of self sufficient living is that eventually everything we…
Before I met Philip, I had tried processing just one leg of venison, my one take away from that experience was… Kiss the butcher, you appreciate what he does more than you know. I have to admit I feel that way still, I get overwhelmed when I look at the starting point. Philip doesn’t seem…
